February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an innovation that allows anyone with a broadband internet connection to make phone calls. Long-distance calls, in particular, are much cheaper over VoIP than through the traditional landline services offered by major telecommunications companies.
VoIP Ireland was the first company that made the technology available in Ireland. The firm, which is only three years old, announced last week that it had bought American telecoms business QC2. The sums involved in the deal have not been revealed, though QC2’s turnover this year is expected to be around $4m, while VoIP Ireland expected to turnover approximately twice that amount. QC2 is headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
QC2 has so far specialized in design and installation work in the telecommunications sector. VoIP Ireland managing director Brian Powell told the Irish Echo that he believes the deal will help his company maintain its rapid rate of growth.
“We were the first company to bring VoIP to Ireland, two-and-a-half years ago,” Powell said. “But we need to be able to work on a bigger scale, with bigger numbers. We were always aware that if an opportunity arose in the States we would grab it, and with QC2 we found a match that really worked.”
VoIP Ireland has several strands of activity. One is the provision of wireless and VoIP services to franchise outlets in the states. For example, last August the company announced a deal that it estimated was worth $3m-$5m per year with Dunkin Donuts. Under the terms of that agreement, VoIP and its American partner company were to provide wireless and VoIP service to 200 Dunkin Donuts outlets.
The type of service VoIP Ireland offers to franchises has two advantages for consumers, the company claims. Firstly, a customer in a caf